Construction Management CAREER INSIGHT
LJMU CAREERS TEAM 0151 231 2048/3719 ❚ careers@ljmu.ac.uk
www2.ljmu.ac.uk/careers
Career Insight: Construction Management
Introduction Construction Managers control and co-ordinate activities on site to ensure that construction work is completed on time and to budget. They schedule when work is done and complete quality control checks to ensure that all operatives on site adhere to high standards of work. They have to consider logistics, health and safety, environmental concerns, sustainable development, and the impact on close neighbours and the general public. They typically work for large construction employers, providing different services including construction management specific or design-and-build offerings. Construction managers typically get involved with a project right from day one on site when ground is broken and they carry on right through until the building is completed, usually handing over to facilities managers. Planning for your career and gaining work experience throughout your course will benefit you when you graduate. Take advantage of work experience opportunities and networking events to develop your skills and find out which area of civil engineering most appeals to you. You could make a start by attending any relevant events through your free student membership with the CIOB. You should also consider setting up a LinkedIn profile and following relevant organisations and jobs boards through Twitter. Many employers use social media to post work experience opportunities so take advantage of using the sites to help you make links and find out more about what opportunities are out there.
Career options: Construction management graduates can apply for a range of roles within the construction industry: Construction/Site Manager Site managers are responsible for the day-to-day running of a construction project. They are employed to prepare sites prior to the start of construction work (to set out the site and organise facilities), to plan projects, work with contractors and ensure that they meet agreed specifications, budgets and timescales and to oversee building work. Site Engineer Site engineers perform a technical, organisational and supervisory role on construction projects, setting out and determining the location for above and underground infrastructure installations involved in construction operations. They apply designs and plans to mark out the site and can be involved in projects ranging from small scale to multi-million pound ventures. They may include civil, road, rail and other infrastructure projects. Project Manager
1
www2.ljmu.ac.uk/careers
Š 2017. Liverpool John Moores University. The content of this document is copyright material of Liverpool John Moores University. No part of this document may be reproduced or distributed without prior written permission of the copyright owner.
Career Insight: Construction Management
Project managers oversee projects, ensuring they are delivered on time and on budget, and take responsibility for overseeing everyone’s roles. They can work across a number of different sectors, including construction and engineering and work throughout the different stages from initial design to completion and handover. Facilities Management Facilities management involves the co-ordination of both technical and general services to ensure that a building runs smoothly. There has been an increasing demand for specialist facilities services which has resulted in opportunities for facilities managers. In this diverse role, facilities managers make sure that an organisation has the most suitable working environment for its employees and their activities. Facilities managers are involved in both strategic planning and day-to-day operations in areas such as: building and grounds maintenance; health and safety; procurement and contract management; security; and, utilities and communications infrastructure. Opportunities exist in all sectors and industries which can result in a diverse range of job titles – operations, estates, technical services, asset or property manager. Example employers could be in either the public, private or nonprofit sectors such as hospitals, schools and colleges, local councils, shops and business parks, stadiums or specialist facilities management providers and consultancies. The construction pathway on the HNC course leads to Associate Membership with the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). You will also have the opportunity to gain direct entry into the second year of the BSc (Hons) Construction Management if you have suitable grades. If you complete your studies after the HNC then you may consider roles such as building technologist or technician. Building technicians use their strong knowledge of building methods and materials to support site managers on construction projects.
Possible employers The nature of the course ensures that graduates undertake a wide range of roles after completing their studies. In addition to undertaking the traditional Site Manager role graduates have also undertaken Project Management, Site Engineer, and Facilities Management roles in organisations such as BAM Construction, Costain, ISG, AECOM, Lovell, Laing O’Rourke, Redrow, Galliford Try, Wilmott Dixon, Peel Ports and Vinci Construction. Employers of Construction Management graduates include:
2
AMEC: www.amec.com/careers ATKINS: www.atkinsglobal.com/graduates AECOM: http://www.aecom.com/Careers Provide technical and management support to a range of markets, including transportation and energy and water systems Balfour Beatty www.balfourbeatty.com/graduates BAM www.bam.co.uk Bechtel (Engineering and Construction: http://www.bechtel.com/careers.html Fluor: www.fluor.com/uk Galliford Try: www.gallifordtry.co.uk ISG (Construction Services: www.isgplc.com/careers/graduates Laing O’Rourke: http://www.laingorourke.com/Careers
www2.ljmu.ac.uk/careers
© 2017. Liverpool John Moores University. The content of this document is copyright material of Liverpool John Moores University. No part of this document may be reproduced or distributed without prior written permission of the copyright owner.
Career Insight: Construction Management
Mace: www.macegroup.com McArthy & Stone: www.mccarthyandstone.co.uk/ Morgan Sindall: http://construction.morgansindall.com RLB (Rider Levett Bucknall): www.rlb.com Sir Robert McAlpine: http://www.sir-robert-mcalpine.com/careers/ Skanska: http://www.skanska.co.uk/Careers/ URS (Engineering and Environmental consultants): www.ursglobal.com VINCI Construction UK www.vinciconstruction.co.uk WATES: http://www.wates.co.uk/careers
Useful links/websites
School of the Built Environment job website – www2.ljmu.ac.uk/blt LJMU My Jobs & Placements - http://ljmu.prospects.ac.uk Gradcracker – Engineering and Construction – www.gradcracker.com Prospects – Careers information and graduate jobs – www.prospects.ac.uk TargetJobs - Careers information and graduate jobs – www.targetjobs.co.uk Bromak (Construction Recruitment Agency) - www.bromak.com Building 4 Jobs: www.building4jobs.com Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) – www.ciob.org Construction Industry Training Board: www.citb.co.uk/careers-in-construction/ Construction News – keep up-to-date with sector news - www.cnplus.co.uk
Follow relevant companies/websites through Twitter:
@LJMUCareers @gradcracker @CIOBjobs @AByrneLJMU
Sources of work experience As part of the degree programme you will have the opportunity to complete a work placement. Gaining work experience in the construction sector is really important for your future career so you should definitely consider this option. Many of the large recruiters have summer and yearlong placement opportunities available to those on degree programmes, which are usually advertised through websites such as Prospects, Targetjobs, Milkround and Gradcracker. The websites listed previously should be your first port of call when researching possible placement opportunities and your Careers Adviser, Andy Byrne, may have additional examples of possible employers who offer these opportunities. Some large employers will offer summer or sandwich placements year after year but you can also secure work experience through a more creative approach. Contacting companies directly through networking events, via email or through LinkedIn may lead to work experience. The School
3
www2.ljmu.ac.uk/careers
© 2017. Liverpool John Moores University. The content of this document is copyright material of Liverpool John Moores University. No part of this document may be reproduced or distributed without prior written permission of the copyright owner.
Career Insight: Construction Management
of the Built Environment has a specific member of staff (Angela Clarke) to support students in securing a year-out placement and jobs are placed on the first website listed above. Contacting companies directly at networking events, via email or through LinkedIn may lead to work experience. It is important to demonstrate that you are interested in the company and have spent some time researching what they do. Even when applying to secure work experience for the first time in this industry, show the employer what you have to offer. Briefly outline the relevancy of your course. Look at the skills outlined above and try to discuss these in your CV, drawing on examples from your course and other work experience or extra-curricular activities to demonstrate these skills. LJMU has been managing a summer internship programme for Level 5 students in recent years, so keep an eye on your LJMU inbox for details of any opportunities.
Recruitment schedules Due to the nature of the construction sector many graduate roles may become available throughout the year as companies start work on projects so keep looking for opportunities. In addition, there are numerous graduate training schemes with large companies. If you are interested in these roles you will need to be aware of the graduate recruitment cycle. Many recruiters begin the graduate recruitment process during the autumn term for final year students. Some placements are advertised then as well. Most closing dates are in November and December but some are earlier so it is important to start researching companies that you want to apply to early on. The application process for graduate training schemes usually involves completing an online application form, which may require you to answer ‘competency based questions’. You can get advice about the recruitment process and feedback on your applications before applying by booking a one-to-one appointment with a Careers or Employability Adviser in the Byrom Street Careers Zone.
Key events and networking
4
Faculty of Engineering & Technology Careers Fair: Takes place annually in October
Liverpool Careers Fair: usually held in the autumn and spring of each year, see fairs website http://www.liverpoolfairs.org.uk/ for additional events
Careers and Employability events at LJMU: Keep an eye on our events pages at https://worldofwork.ljmu.ac.uk/events for details of upcoming employability workshops, networking sessions and employer talks.
Manchester Careers Fairs: open to students and graduates from any university; check http://www.careers.manchester.ac.uk/students/events/ for details
LiverpoolSU Clubs and Societies: http://ljmu.unioncloud.org/groups#club-society
www2.ljmu.ac.uk/careers
© 2017. Liverpool John Moores University. The content of this document is copyright material of Liverpool John Moores University. No part of this document may be reproduced or distributed without prior written permission of the copyright owner.
Career Insight: Construction Management
LinkedIn: You could also consider setting up a LinkedIn account (www.linkedin.com/) to network online with professionals and organisations in your chosen industry
Other information LJMU Centre for Entrepreneurship – Support for LJMU students and graduates interested in starting up their own business. Further details can be found here: https://www2.ljmu.ac.uk/startup including funding available, eligibility, timescales and training dates.
Careers Zones Campus-based Careers Zones provide easy access to careers support in convenient locations at Byrom Street, Aldham Robarts Library and at IM Marsh, staffed by the Careers Team. Support available includes CV and application form reviews, Careers Adviser appointments, drop-in quick queries, practice interviews and access to careers resources and information. The Zones also host regular employer visits during term time where you can meet and network with employers and discuss job and placement opportunities. For the latest updates and details of locations and opening times, try our Twitter and Facebook pages or call 0151 231 2048/3719.
Placement Case Study Name: Jade Smithson Organisation: Bowmer & Kirkland What placement role did you secure and what did this involve on a day-to-day basis? Trainee Site Manager position working on multiple projects from Office blocks, Pure Gym and student accommodation. My day to day duties included organising sub-contractors on site, ensuring works were being completed to a good standard and the correct specification, managing the programme and understanding when to call certain sub-contractors to site, pre-start health and safety meetings, giving people inductions before going onto site, issuing work permits, ensuring health and safety is kept to a good standard. How do you feel that the placement has benefited you? The placement benefited me hugely, especially in a role such as site management. It is all about experience and actually getting out there and working in the field. Without the year out I can't imagine how scary it would have been to leave university without any site experience and going straight into work. The placement also helped me to secure a graduate role with another company.
5
www2.ljmu.ac.uk/careers
© 2017. Liverpool John Moores University. The content of this document is copyright material of Liverpool John Moores University. No part of this document may be reproduced or distributed without prior written permission of the copyright owner.
Career Insight: Construction Management
What advice would you give other students to improve their employability? Would you do anything differently if you were a first year student again? My advice would be to treat any work experience as useful experience, working in a shop, delivering pizzas! I used to clean operating theatres at a hospital in Aintree part-time throughout my first two years and now I'm building the Heli-pad outside of it! Employers just want to see that you have a certain set of skills that you can use in any environment and are motivated. I wouldn't do anything different, I applied for lots placements just to increase my chances of getting one and got the most out of the year by working hard. What help or support did you access from the Careers Team? I received help in organising my CV and cover letter, it was great to have someone look over it from a different angle and get some advice. What graduate role did you secure? I started working for BAM during my final year and I will be working as an Assistant Site Manager after I graduate. My placement experience will hopefully ensure that I gain additional responsibilities quickly!
Placement Case Study Name: Matthew Bardgett Organisation: C&D Consultancy What placement role did you secure and what did this involve on a day-to-day basis? I was lucky enough to secure a role with a specialised demolition consultancy company based in Wolverhampton. However I was mainly based out of the Liverpool and London offices. The great thing about my job was that it varied day to day. I undertook a number of training courses such as asbestos awareness, demolition awareness, temporary works coordinator and asbestos removal. I obtained my CCDO and CSCS card too. Throughout my placement year I worked on 56 sites throughout the following disciplines: -
Explosive Engineering Principal Designer Clients Demolition Engineer Health and Safety auditing Preparing method statements Site Visits Pre-tender bids Mechanical Demolition with 120 tonne machines
I worked all over the country from Liverpool to London, Glasgow and Jersey. How do you feel that the placement has benefitted you?
6
www2.ljmu.ac.uk/careers
Š 2017. Liverpool John Moores University. The content of this document is copyright material of Liverpool John Moores University. No part of this document may be reproduced or distributed without prior written permission of the copyright owner.
Career Insight: Construction Management
Without the placement experience I think I would have struggled at level 6. I came from an academic background and not a technical construction one. I understood more academic subjects such as Law and Economics far better than the actual construction technology. Getting hands-on practical experience allowed me to visualise the construction processes. Oddly being in demolition I saw what makes a well-constructed building when it was being knocked down so I saw the opposite side to my original degree! What advice would you give other students to improve their employability? A placement year is a must and I would advise anyone to do one. I would especially advise joining a London company as the construction sector down there is fast moving using the most up-to-date construction techniques. Once you put you have worked in London on your CV you can work anywhere in the country. If I was to start the degree again I would probably want more site experience or a part time job in construction. What help or support did you access from the Careers Team at LJMU and how was this useful? The Careers Team helped me to structure my CV along with giving me the best possible interview advice for all my interviews. I feel I should have used this support more during my time at university. Have you secured a graduate role? I have secured a role as a Demolition Consultant with the same company that I went on my placement year with. I signed a contract at the beginning of level 6 to carry on working part time alongside my final year before joining the company full time once I leave. I have been an active contributor on LinkedIn and social media and I was offered four other jobs during my final year! My advice to any student is to invest in yourself and portray yourself well within the construction industry.
7
www2.ljmu.ac.uk/careers
Š 2017. Liverpool John Moores University. The content of this document is copyright material of Liverpool John Moores University. No part of this document may be reproduced or distributed without prior written permission of the copyright owner.
Career Insight: Construction Management
8
www2.ljmu.ac.uk/careers
Š 2017. Liverpool John Moores University. The content of this document is copyright material of Liverpool John Moores University. No part of this document may be reproduced or distributed without prior written permission of the copyright owner.
Career Insight: Construction Management
Notes
9
www2.ljmu.ac.uk/careers
Š 2017. Liverpool John Moores University. The content of this document is copyright material of Liverpool John Moores University. No part of this document may be reproduced or distributed without prior written permission of the copyright owner.
Career Insight: Construction Management
Notes
10
www2.ljmu.ac.uk/careers
Š 2017. Liverpool John Moores University. The content of this document is copyright material of Liverpool John Moores University. No part of this document may be reproduced or distributed without prior written permission of the copyright owner.
Career Insight: Construction Management
11
www2.ljmu.ac.uk/careers
Š 2017. Liverpool John Moores University. The content of this document is copyright material of Liverpool John Moores University. No part of this document may be reproduced or distributed without prior written permission of the copyright owner.
Looking for out of hours careers support? Access our suite of online careers tools at any time, from anywhere ...
CAREERS ZONE
24/7
❙❙ CV builder ❙❙ Interview simulator ❙❙ Job search websites ❙❙ Careers Newsroom ❙❙ Psychometric testing and
assessment centre practice portal ❙❙ GoinGlobal international jobs database Access Careers Zone 24/7 from the Careers website:
www2.ljmu.ac.uk/careers LJMU CAREERS WORLD OF WORK CAREERSTEAM CENTRE 0151 231 2048/3719 ❚ careers@ljmu.ac.uk || worldofwork@ljmu.ac.uk 0151 231 2048/3719
www2.ljmu.ac.uk/careers www2.ljmu.ac.uk/worldofwork